Mobile gun mount



l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E477 r/IaM/Ls WEBER 050 025,

I l I I I I I I MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28. 1944 April 13, 1948. w. H. DARDENNE EIAL April 13,1948. w. H. DARDENNE Y ETAL 2,439,554

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mfi E 50 YD, WEBER DEVO/PE,

April 13, 1948. H, AR E ETAL 2,439,564

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 THO M196 5. 50 Yo, WEBER 0E Va/r5,

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15 Sheets-Sheet 5 W/VL TE M 0 WI? RaBERT m WOL F Tao/44a 5.5a yo, 44 5551 asva E,

w. H. DARDENNE ETAL MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944' pri! 13, 1948.

April 13, 1948.

W. H. DARDENNE ETAL MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 JI I:

April 13, 1948. w. H. DARDENNE'EIAL ,56

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 wau A THO/1175 E. aoyo, WEBER 0EI/OFE} April 13, 1948; w; H. DARDENNE ETAL 2,439,564

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 F mazwisasar I rvmskosvo/rs,

P 1943- w. H. DARDENNE E'IAL 2,439,564

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28; 1944 1s Sheets-Sheet 9 THO/1&5 E. BOYD,

WEBER DE V0175 April 13, 1948. w, DE r 2,439,564

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 I WEBER OEVORE;

7' 190M176 E. BOYD April 1948; w. H. DARDENNE ETAL 2,439,554

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 WEBER DEVORE,

T/YoMAsEBoYo,

'ARDENNE ETAL I 2,439,564

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Aprifi 13, 1943. H.- D

Filed Feb. 28. 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 WM/OLF} THO/visa e) WEBER DEI/O'IFE,

April 1948- w. H; DARDENNE ETAL 39, 64

MOBILE GUN MOUNT l5 Sheets-Sheet l3 Filed Feb. 28, 1-944 14 144 727? f/. 0 4/70 ROBERT W WOL r;

7790/7 95 E. sayo, W555 PEI ORE,

April 1948- w. H. DARDE-NNE ETAL 2,439,564

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 v 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 seenakvae',

April 13, 1948. w. H. DARDENNE ETAL 2,439,564

MOBILE GUN MOUNT Filed Feb. 28, 1944 15 Sheets-Sheet l5 WEBER 0.51 09 atented Apr. 13, 1948 ETD MOBUJE GUN MOUNT Walter H. DArdenne, Jenkintown Manor, Weber Devore, Horsham Township,

Montgomery County, Robert W. Wolf, Philadelphia, and Thomas E. Boyd, Melrose Park, Pa., assignors to Heintz Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 28, 1944, Serial No. 524,282

Claims.

This invention relates to gun mounts, and more particularly, to mounts for light rapid firing automatic cannon and the like. While the invention contemplates an all purpose mount, mounts constructed according to the invention are especially effective for anti-aircraft purposes, such as against dive bombers and strafing planes. It is a major object of the invention to provide such a mount.

Modern war is a war of movement and consequently a mount should be capable of being easily and quickly transported from one place to another and readily positioned for firing. The present invention has for another object the provision of a mount which can be so transported.

Mounts constructed in accordance with the invention are provided with tripod legs, two of which are adapted to support wheels. When the mount is positioned for firing, the wheels are disposed oif the ground and out of the way (or removedv Rapid firing automatic cannon of the light 30 type as now employed are of two different designs, one of which is known as the Oerlikon 20 mm. and the other of which is known as the Hispano 20 mm. These cannon have different mounting points. It is, of course, highly desirable to provide a mount which can employ either of these two guns. Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of means for cradling either of these two types of guns. This means is comprised of two different cradles, each of which may readily be substituted for the other.

It is important that mounts for light cannon, machine guns and the like, be properly proportioned and designed to compensate as nearly as possible for recoil movement, vibration and other factors which otherwise would seriously affect the accuracy of fire. It is an important object of the invention to provide a mount which accomplishes these aims.

The invention, for a further object, provides a mount which may be fired in all positions of traverse and in elevation and depression to about plus 85. to minus the gunner at all times remaining in erect standing position in which he is protected by an armor plate shield.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of an improved armor plate shield construction, sighting means, means for securing the mount to a permanent or semi-permanent foundation, and in the provision of a mount requiring no equilibrator springs or counter-balance. weights.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims when read on the accompanying drawings in i which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gun mount constructed in accordance with the invention, the mount being shown in firing position.

Figure 2 is a top plan View.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a gun mount constructed in accordance with the invention, the mount being shown in firing position.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the armor plate shield. I 1

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the shield.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the pedestal base showing the leg sockets, and also an adapter for securing the mount to a permanent or semi-permanent foundation.

Figure 7 is a section taken through the leg securing means.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 7.

Figures is a top plan view, partially in section of a portion of one of the leg joints. 7

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the same leg joint in its other position.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the locking pin employed in the leg joint. 7

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the front end of the towing leg.

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 15 is a section taken through the releasable locking means-for the drawing handle on the towing leg.

Figure 16 is a. vertical section taken through the longitudinal center of the gun cradle.

Figure 17 is a top plan view of the gun cradle.

Figure 18 is a rear elevation of the intermediate block of the gun cradle.

Figure 19 is a rear elevation of the forward block of the gun cradle taken on the line I9-|9 of Figure 16.

Figure 20 is a rear elevation (partly in section) of the trigger firing mechanism.

Figure 21 is a side elevationof the same.

Figure 22 is a vertical section taken through 3 the longitudinal center of a gun cradle for an Oerlikon type gun.

Figure 23 is a top plan view of the same gun cradle.

Figure 24.. is a rear elevation o f theintermediate block for t'lfe "Qer1ikon gun cradle} v Figure 25 is a rear elevation of the forward block for the Oerlikon gun cradle taken on the line 25-45 of Figure 22.

Figure 26 is a rear elevation of the rear hl'ocl z for the Oerlikon gun cradle taken on the line 2626 of Figure 22. e h Figure 27 is an enlarged verti'dals'e'ctio'n through the intermediate blqok ffdr the gun cradle.

Figure 2871s a top plan view er an eiterflen've Figure 38 is a toil plan view of an'alt e'r'iiativc A form of wheel mounting; V

Figure 37 is a par'tia detail of the same, the view being a b )"ti'.0iir r 1- plan'view Figure 38 isaside elevation of the with the wheel remeveae'ne t e efg-pesiueeee I firing. V I e e Figure '39 is a; side elevatio'n ofa 'r"coil'ir'iech anisin for use'withtfie cunt; I

Figure 40 t tles new 15f t "e seme reeen mechanism.

Figure 41 is a view taken on the line IF- ller u v Q s. s.

Figure '42 is a front end rete ienof the forr bi etrfireies n'ne a wi we recoil spring and raareihevea.

With reference first to the'ifn eralviews 'Fig' ures '1, 2 ands, theintunthas a pede'stalf's'tandard lil of tubular construction "its standard and the base plate-are thee s6 These sockets are" ed fm) spare abeu't the standard; tweet- '1; seekers; bifig showii at l2 anemiamesa-gene's.

therein for rotation alcioilt vertial-"aiiis"of the pedestal stan'daid' The'dylindric'al support member I8 is adapted at its upper ehdtUSuDport detachably acr'adlewbm F9. "The support'ni'einher 51s may "be ldcked'in any; of .its positions of 6t rotation by tiirnin'g the handlelfl. The-particular manner in which the support member, gig, is ounte afor otation and;..a1 Q. heer anng in sicitftajd locked. by, operation qt the handlei'ih; and detachablysup through bearings in the two cradle plates 25 and 26 of the gun cradle. The trunnion pins form a horizontal pivot axis on which the gun cradle may pivot in a vertical plane.

The cradle supports the gun 21 (in this instance shown as a I-Ii'spario 2D rapid firing cannon). The gun has a detachable ammunition chest 28. The manner in which the gun is supported in the gun cradle will be described hereinafter.

z :Ifhe rear end gf the gun cradle carries a trigger rnecl'i anism for firing the gun. The trigger mechanisr'n is comprised of a, tubular framework 29, secured tq thecradle plates 25 and 26 by bolts or tlie' like; arid ir'icludes a, pair of tubular mem- Hers 3'6 aLnd'3l which are inclined forwardly and upwardly flfhese members carry lugs 32, three on ea cl member, which lugs have the handle grips 33, 34, 35 and 36, 31 and 38 rotatably mounted thereon.

. The handle. grips 36', '31, 38 carried by the lugs 32 on the inclined tubular 'membe'r 31 (for. the grrnn'erfs' left hand) are mounted on arms "such as 35, which are pivotal'ly'joined to a connecting grips willcause the connecting bar 42 to mete downwardly; m1 "actuatingsrod 43 oins tlie tenr'recting bar 32 to mechanism carried "by 'th'e'c'radle plate 26, and which engages the detentrnechanism of the gun. This'mechanism willbep'resen'tly described. It should be noted here, new ever, Ethat turning of any. of the three hai'ridle grips 36,531 and 38, will, thr 2filfg11itsc'o'rfesfic31it'1l ing arr'n '39, the connecting bar 42, the actuating rod &3 andsai'd mechanism, "actuate the detfit'on thegu'n'and thu's fire the It'is Obvious that the number offhandle grips ma'y bev'a'ried. In someinst'an'cs, 'two will "suffice. In others, 'fou'r uneven more will'beeihplo'yei. A

. The rear ends cif 'thecradle pletes'ais -httve-e U Shapcl safety 'In'en'iber 4'4 ureertnerete to :furnish extra protection to "the gunner mine event. the rear end er the gun "should blew out 'whenth gun'isfired. f

The mouiiterfibodies an 'anr'ier piegesineia as ('.'sealso'Figi'ires reind- 5), the central'iliiit'in Iii-Which is sctstantiaiiy Verm er, while e'esper enc "weer" portions re inclined jufiwaifliy clearly inF-ig'ure 1. The shield; isr fi- 'd'ered siibs't'e 'tjia y 'rigid B the tubular braces l3 6;" ET we: 8', "49, which "are "ewes-teeters, and 'b'y two "re iiirer'emg ribs er pflates so ender are;- '51 'in n felie vertiee pisses "on thjf dr'waid *s rreee'ernie'smelqeneinier 's'ide of'th'e op'iii g 52: (Fig'iifeSYIthr ghwliich-the gun-cradle enn extend. fine-plates Ellfiidtfbi 'eirhbly en the" cradle s cker-e1 fIheQ I'ie'arWa-rd' cheer-side er the shildcarris a'jpair bfli'igs' "55;," 5B" which carry "rotatable threeeed bol-tsfST and," having h s 8. 'I"h's" bolts are 3 ap to g 1es ie'epee itesieeser en meme vblieto' e the "shield rigimyto the i 'willi'ie understood; However; that since the w sed.

in the shield is 'suiiiciently large to permit full elevation and depression.

The shield 45 is comprised of two separable portions, an upper shield portion 59 and a, lower shield portion 68 disposed at the lower edge of the portion 59. The lower portion 68 includes a, bucket-shaped ammunition chest container 6| provided with a lid 62 hinged at 63 on pins carried by lugs on the lower edge of the upper shield portion 59. The lid 62 may be secured in closed position by the releasable fastener .64.

This lower shield portion 68 is detachably secured in position to rotate with the yoke I!) by means of a bracket 65 which is comprised of two side members, the forward edges of which are welded to the ammunition chest container BI. These side members extend rearwardly inwardly and upwardly and their uppermost portions are joined together (as an inverted U). At the position of juncture, there is provided an integral, rearwardly and downwardly projectin hook 68 which engages over the edge of the notch 69 (Figures 16, 17) formed in the yoke I9.

The bracket 65, or the container 6|, as shown, carries a. lug 13 provided with a vertical hole in which is threaded a bolt 'II The bolt is provided with a handle 12 at its lower end. The rotatable support member I8 is provided with a lateral block Ill. The bolt 'II is adapted when turned to extend through the lug I3 and to engage the ,under surface of the block 78, thus securely clamping the lower shield portion 68' in place.

The ammunition chest container BI formin part of the lower shield portion 88 may be used for storing extra ammunition chests, such as the one 28 shown in dotted lines as on the gun in Fig. l. The container 6| may be provided with side handles such as 14 to facilitate lifting the container and in holding the same when the bucket is being attached, detached or transported.

The mount may include an improved sighting arrangement which can be understood from an examination of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. This sighting arrangement operates on the principle of a varying parallelogram comprising two forked members I5 and 16, the lower double ends of each being provided with lugs which are engaged in holes in the cradle side plates 25, 26 so as to be pivoted to the cradle side plates. The forked members are forced apart when they are being assembled in place. These forked members I5 and I6 form two sides of the parallelogram and the cradle side plates and the bar 11 (pivotally connecting the upper ends of the members I5 and 18) form the other two sides.

The connecting bar I! is adapted to support the sight bar I8 at two points. One is through the yoke I9 (rigid with the connecting bar) .to which the sight bar is pivotally mounted. The other, 88, is intermediate of the connecting bar 11. This latter connection 88 is normally rigid but since it includes the threaded bolt and locknut arrangement 8I shown, it is apparent that the relative position of the connecting bar 11 and the forward end of the sight bar 18 may be varied.

The sight bar I8 rigidly carries a forward sight ring 82 and also a much smaller rear sight ring 83. The rear end of the sight bar I8 has a rocker arm element 84 pivoted thereto, the end of which is formed as a snap catch 85 for detachably engaging the central part of a bail 86 which is swingably mounted at its ends in lugs 81 carried by the underside of the armor plate shield.

Having now described certain general features of the mount, it is believed to be desirable to describe several of the specific mechanical details which also form important features of the invention.

As previously indicated, the mount is.provided with three legs I5, I6 and II'which are adapted to fit into the three leg sockets, two of which are shown at I2 and I4 secured near the base plate II of the pedestal standard I8. Figs. 1 and 2 show'the legs disposed as a tripod to support the mount when it is being fired. Two of the legs I5 and I8 are provided with wheel arrangements which may be manually changed so that the wheels on these legs support the mount for transportation. The remaining leg I1 is provided with a handle arrangement for pulling the mount by hand, and also with a lunette by which the mount can be attached to a motor vehicle.

Each of the legs is preferably constructed of tubular metal, the outer ends of which are 'pr0- vided with spade grips, such as 88.

The inner ends of the legs are releasably clamped in the aforementioned sockets by means of a threaded bolt 89 provided with two clamping blocks 98 and 9|, having arcuate upper surfaces (see Figure 6). The bolt passes laterally through the socket and is provided with an operating handle 92 disposed on the outside of the socket. When the handle 92 is turned, the clamping blocks 98 and SI will move toward each other relatively and clamp the leg between them and the upper inner surface of the socket.

Each leg near its inner end is also provided with two holes disposed on radii at right angles to each other. Such holes, 48 and 93, are shown in Figure 7. When the legs are disposed in one of their operative positions, one of the holes in each leg is adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed plunger 94 provided with a handle (see Figures 7 and 8 in particular). The plunger 95 provides a positive lock for retaining the leg Within the socket. The locking action is released merely by pulling out the handle 95.

When the wheel legs are employed for transportation, they are inserted in their sockets in a position turned 90 to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. The other hole 48 (Fig. 7) near the inner end of each leg is then adapted to be engaged by the plunger 84.

For purposes of permitting an easy entering of each leg for each of its two positions, the legs are provided with studs such as 96 which respectively engage either in the slots 91, in the top of the leg sockets, or in the slots 98 in the sides of the leg sockets.

The legs I5 and I6 carry wheels 99 and I88, and these legs are provided with a joint so that they may assume either a straight position (Figuresl, 2, 9 and 10) or an angled position (Figures 3 and 11). In the latter position the wheels 99 and I88 will support the mount for transporting it from place to place.

With reference to Figures 9, l0, l1 and 12, the two wheel legs are each comprised of two sections I8] and I82. The outer section I8I at its joining end is provided with a rigid block member I83 having a central tongue I84 of less width than the block proper. The inner section I82 at its joining end is also provided with a, block I having a central slot in which the tongue I84 is disposed. A pivot pin I86 passes through the block I85 and tongue I84 to provide a pivot joint. The outer surface of the block I85 is inclined as at I8! (on each side of the slot) and these inclined surfaces engage complementary and *roun'de'd pore tion (shown :in raubar 1 3:! be ifimqa tivepdsiti'o'h (dotted fine I29 may beaeleasablyl ot,'*'sinde the I through the thread d ope m g; fist with the r t Eli E P KQ- m pa ng 'ges we deteiit" use he nut m1.

9 as described, it will move arm I53 of the rocker I54 downwardly, thus causing the blunt end of the other arm I51 to press downwardly against the pivoted bar I58. This results in drawing downwardly on the detent I68 of the gun and firing the latter.

While so far in the description of the invention the mount has been described as a, tripod mount capable of conversion to a wheeled mount for transporting purposes, the mount can also be used with a semi-permanent adapter base which may be bolted or otherwise secured to the deck of a ship, a concrete foundation, the floor of a vehicle, or the like. Such an adapter base is shown, for example, in Figure 6. It is comprised of a circular base plate I 62 which may be secured to a foundation or the like by any suitable means, a central upright portion I 63, a. circular top plate I64, and a plurality of reinforcing webs I65, all welded together in a unit. The base plate II of the pedestal of the mount may be bolted as at I66 to the circular top plate I64 of the adapter. Alternately, it may be secured to the circular top plate of the adapter by means of quick acting clamps or the like. Such clamps, for example, are illustrated and described in copending application, Serial No. 465,616, filed November 14, 1942, now Patent No. 2,415,340, issued February 4, 1947, to which reference has heretofore been made. It is, of course, not necessary to employ the legs I5, I6, I1 of the tripod support when the adapter just described is in use.

In the statement of the objects of the invention in the early part of this specification, it was stated that an important object of the invention was its adaptation for use with either the mm. Hispano cannon or the 20 mm. Oerlikon cannon. This interchangeable feature, is simply accomplished by substituting a diiferent gun cradle for the one heretofore described.

The gun cradle for guns of the Oerlikon type is illustrated in Figures 22, 2s, 24, 25, 2s and 27.

The cradle plates I61, I68 thereof are substantially of the same shape and dimensions of the cradle plates heretofore described as for use with guns of the Hispano type. The cradle plates I61 and I68 are held in spaced parallel relationship by three special blocks I69, I18 and HI, which will be referred to, respectively, as the forward, intermediate and rear blocks.

The rear block I1I (see Figures 22, 23 and 26) is provided with a longitudinal cut-out I12, the side edges of which are provided with undercut longitudinal grooves I13 and I14. These grooves are adapted to engage ribs (not shown) on the sides of the gun near the rear end thereof.

The intermediate block I18 (see Figures 22, 23, 24 and 27) is also provided with a longitudinal cut-out I15 and undercut grooves I16 and I11 which are adapted to engage ribs on the side of the gun. The undersurface of the gun I54 at the point of engagement with the intermediate block I18 is provided with a hole I18. This hole I18 is adapted to engage a spring pressed plunger I19.

In mounting the gun in the cradle, the knob handle I88 (see Figures 22, 24 and 27) is loosened. When the gun is disposed in its proper position, the plunger I19 will snap into the hole I18. The knob handle I88 is then tightened on its threaded mounting and firmly presses the plunger in the hole and against the under surface of the gun. This action effects a clamping of the gun to the block as the ribs on the gun press firmly against the upper surfaces of the grooves I16 and I11.

The intermediate 'block I18 is a so p d on its side edges with longitudinal polysided grooves NH and I82. Complementary shaped elements I83 and I84 engage in said grooves. These elements I83 and I84 have upstanding arms I85 and I86 through which the trunnion. pins 23 and 24 pass. A bolt, such as I81, extends through the elements I83 and I84, the intermediate block I18 and the cradle plates I61 and I68 to hold them all securely together.

The front block I69 (Figures 22, 23 and 25) is not engaged by any part of the gun. It is bolted to the cradle plates and serves a dual purpose, first, to secure the cradle plates in spaced parallel relationship, and secondly, as a counter-weight to balance the gun properly in the mount. The Hispano type gun is longer and heavier at the front than the Oerlikon type and consequently a counterbalance weight is highly desirable when the mount is used for Oerlikon type guns. This front block I69 obviously suits this purpose. As shown in Figures 22 and 23, the weight effect of the front block I69 may be adjusted and varied by adding further weightelements such as I88 and I89 which may be removably secured to the front block I69 by means of a bolt I98 or the like.

In guns of the Oerlikon type, the'firing is accomplished by moving a laterally extending pin rearwardly of the gun. Consequently, the trigger actuating mechanism used with the gun cradle for Oerlikon type guns differs from that heretofore described. Instead, it may be as shown in Figure 22 as merely comprising a bar I9I secured to the lower end of the connecting bar 42. I92 which bears against the firing lug I93 on the gun. When the connecting bar 42 is moved downwardly to the left (Figure 22), the engaging surface I92 of the bar I9I will move the firing lug I93 rearwardly of the gun and thus fire the latter.

In Figures 29 to 31, inclusive, an alternate form of towing leg is illustrated. In this form the side handles are also comprised of a rod 28I in the form of a bail welded or otherwise secured to the towing leg 282. The front end of the towing leg has a forwardly extending bracket 283 welded thereto. A lunette 284 is welded to the bracket 283.

The double bars 285, 286 in this instance are secured to the upper side of the towing leg. They are pivoted as at 281 to the upstanding lug 288 (see Figure 30). When in their forward drawing position as shown in full lines in Figures 28 and 29, the double bars 285, 286 are locked in such position by means of the spring pressed plunger 289 which is carried by the bar 285 and is adapted to enter an opening 2 I 8 in an upstanding lug 2I I weldedto the front of the leg. Figure 31 is a section taken through the plunger bars and lug.

Locking of the bars in inoperative position (shown in broken lines in Figures 28 and 29) is similarly effected, the spring pressed plunger 289 in this case engaging an opening 2 I2 in a lug 2 I3. As in the other embodiment, a handle bar H4 is provided.

Figures 32 and 33 illustrate a modified form of support for the sighting arrangement. In the other form of sighting arrangement (Figures 1, 2 and 3) the forked members 15 and 16 are assembled by forcing each laterally until the lateral lugs on their lower ends become disengaged from the holes in the cradle side plates. In the form shown in Figures 32 and 33, this action is facilitated by a toggle arrangement.

The bar I9I has an engaging surface 

